Automatic siphoning filtration device

ABSTRACT

An automatic siphoning filtration device having a filter receptacle provided with communicating compartments to receive a siphon, filtering materials and a pump for use with an aquarium to circulate the aquarium water for the purpose of filtration. The siphon is provided with a tube having an end submerged in the aquarium water, whereby the siphoning action is automatically started when water within the filter receptacle is removed from the siphon compartment. The filtering materials are held within containers positioned in their respective compartments located between the siphon compartment and the pump compartment. The pump is provided with a tube to return clear water to the aquarium, whereby the aquarium water flows from the siphon compartment, through the containers holding the filtering materials, into the pump compartment.

United States Patent Willinger [4 1 June 13, 1972 AUTOMATIC SIPHONINGFILTRATION DEVICE [72] Inventor: Allan H. Wlllinger, New Rochelle, NY.

[73] Assignee: Metaframe Corporation, Maywood, NJ.

[22] Filed: June 3, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 43,040

[52] U.S. Cl "210/169, 210/238 [51] Int. Cl. ..E04h 3/20, BOld 27/08[58] Field of Search ..55/524; 210/137, 169, 238, 210/263, 455, 483;119/5 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,485,373 12/1969Powers ..2l0/169 3,513,978 5/ 1 970 Newsteder ..210/169 1,985,41112/1934 l-lorck ..2l0/238 2,353,433 7/1944 Auberschek... ...210/2383,019,854 2/1962 OBryant ..55/524 3,321,081 5/1967 willinger ..2l0/1693,511,376 5/1970 Sesholtz ..210/169 Primary Examiner-Charles N. HartAttorney-Friedman & Goodman [57] ABSTRACT An automatic siphoningfiltration device having a filter receptacle provided with communicatingcompartments to receive a siphon, filtering materials and a pump for usewith an aquarium to circulate the aquarium water for the purpose offiltration. The siphon is provided with a tube having an end submergedin the aquarium water, whereby the siphoning action is automaticallystarted when water within the filter receptacle is removed from thesiphon compartment. The filtering materials are held within containerspositioned in their respective compartments located between the siphoncompartment and the pump compartment. The pump is provided with a tubeto return clear water to the aquarium, whereby the aquarium water flowsfrom the siphon compartment, through the containers holding thefiltering materials, into the pump companment.

28 Claims, 8 Drawing figures Y Pmn'smummz 3.669.297

SHEET 2 BF 3 III INVENTOR BY Allan H. Wdpinger J MMQ JEMM,

ATTORNE S PATENTEDJUN 13 I572 SHEET 3 0F 3 INV ENTOR Allan H. WillingerBY 7 %u; i f

' ATTORNEY AUTOMATIC SIPI'IONING FILTRATION DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Filtration devices for an aquarium, which provide a continuousflow of aquarium water from an aquarium tank into a filter tank for thefiltration of the water which is later returned to the aquarium tank,are well known in the art as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,321,081,granted May 23, 1967 to Willinger. The above patent discloses a siphontube which must be manually filled with water in order to start thesiphoning action. Also, the filtering materials are loosely spread overan upper surface of a platform positioned within the receptacle tank.

Starting the siphoning action of a siphon tube by using a bulb is alsowell known. However, the prior art devices using a bulb, needed a bulbwith sufficient internal capacity so that one squeeze of the bulb wouldhave to evacuate all of the air in the siphon so as to lift the waterfrom the aquarium with one squeeze. If that failed it would be requiredto lift the whole siphon tube and bulb out of the aquarium and replaceit in position and start over.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to anaquarium water circulation device, and in particular, to an aquariumsiphoning filtration device having an improved water circulationarrangement to circulate the aquarium water for the purpose offiltration. The device comprises a filter receptacle provided withcommunicating compartments. One of the compartments receives a pumpprovided with a tube to return clear water to the aquarium. A siphon islocated in another compartment to transfer the aquarium water into thefilter receptacle, whereby the siphoning action of the siphon isautomatically started when the water level within the filter receptacleis lowered. Containers holding filtering materials are positioned in theother compartments. The aquarium water flows from the siphon compartmentinto the compartments receiving the filtering containers, then throughthe filtering containers into the pump compartment, the flow beingcaused by the pumping action drawing the water supplied by the siphon.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide animproved filtration device having a unique water circulation arrangementto circulate aquarium water for the purpose of filtration whichovercomes the disadvantages of the prior art filtering devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filtration device whichis extremely simple, whereby the device can be readily produced andmaintained with relatively little expense, which nevertheless is highlyefficient in operation and has a relatively long trouble-free life.

A further object of this invention to provide a filtration device whichincludes a siphoning device, the siphoning device being automaticallyprimed without one person coming in contact with the aquarium water.

, An added object of this invention is to provide a filtration devicewhich includes containers to hold the filtering materials, whereby thesecontainers are easily removable to replace the filtering materials witha fresh supply thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a fragmentary, partly sectional, rear elevational viewof an aquarium tank provided with a filtration device pursuant to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 represents a fragmentary, vertical transverse sectional viewthrough the aquarium tank, showing an improved siphoning device of thefiltration device of this invention having a siphon tube positioned inthe aquarium tank;

FIG. 3 represents a fragmentary, top plan view of the aquarium tank,showing the filtration device of this invention;

FIG. 4 represents a fragmentary, partly sectional, rear elevational viewof the aquarium tank provided with a modified filtration device of thisinvention;

FIG. 5 represents a fragmentary, top plan view of the aquarium tanksimilar to FIG. 3, showing the modified filtration device of thisinvention;

FIG. 6 represents a perspective view of a container of the filtrationdevice of this invention;

FIG. 7 represents an exploded perspective view of another container ofthe filtration device of this invention, showing the filtering material;

FIG. 8 represents a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of thefiltration device of this invention, showing the compartments thereinand the siphoning device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, FIG.1 illustrates a conventional aquarium tank 10 which is provided with afiltration device which is generally indicated by the reference numeral12. The filtration device 12 is of the external type and, as here shown,comprises a filter receptacle 14 which is suspended on an outer surfaceof a rear wall 16 of the aquarium tank 10, though the filter receptacle14 may be suspended on any wall of the tank 10. More specifically, thefilter receptacle 14 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 18which is hooked over a preferably metallic rim 20 provided on theadjacent rear wall 16 of the aquarium tank 10, as shown in FIG.

2. A spacer (not shown) may extend between the tank 10 and the filterreceptacle 14 if needed to maintain the receptacle 14 in an uprightposition. As here shown, the filter receptacle 14 is essentiallyrectangular in conformation and is provided with internal partitions 22,24, 26 to define compartments or chambers therein.

The partition 22 together with the walls of receptacle l4 define acompartment which receives a pump 28, shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 5,whereby this compartment is hereinafter referred to as a pump chamber30. The partition 22 extends perpendicularly outwardly from the sidewall 32 of the receptacle 14, adjacent to the wall 16 of the tank 10,being spaced from the opposite side wall 34 to provide an opening 36between the pump chamber 30 and the adjacent compartment. The partition22 extends perpendicularly upwardly from the bottom wall 38 to the upperportion of the receptacle 14.

The pump 28 may be of the centrifugal type, similar to that disclosed inthe above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,321,081. The pump 28 is providedwith an opening 40 in an upper portion thereof, to receive the water tobe pumped. The pump 28 is mounted on the bottom wall 38. In order tooperate the pump 28, provision is made for an electric motor (not shown)housed within a motor housing 42 which is mounted on the bottom wall 38of the filter receptacle 14, which is also similar to that disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 3,321,081.

A tube 44 is secured to the upper portion of the pump 28. The tube 44 isprovided with a bend 45 at its upper end, which extends over the rim 20on the upper marginal edge of the wall 16 of the aquarium tank 10, sothat the outlet end (not shown) of the tube 44 overlies the interior ofthe aquarium tank 10, preferably above the level of the water therein.

The partition 26 together with the walls of the receptacle I4 define asecond compartment which receives a siphon tube 46, whereby this secondcompartment is hereinafter referred to as a siphon chamber 48. Thepartition 26 extends perpendicularly outwardly from the side walls 32,34 of the receptacle 14, and perpendicularly upwardly from the bottomwall 38 to the upper portion of the receptacle 14. An opening 50 isprovided in a lower comer of the partition 26, adjacent to the side wall34 and the bottom wall 38, to provide communication between the siphonchamber 48 and the adjacent compartment.

An upper portion 52 of the siphon chamber 48 is enlarged providing anabutment 54 therein. A cover member 56 is seated within the enlargedupper portion 52, resting on the abutment 54 to provide an air tightseal therebetween, whereby the cover member 56 may be suitably securedwithin the portion 52 by a friction fit, or in a substantially permanentmanner, as'by a suitable adhesive or solvent bond. The cover member 56includes a conically shaped conduit portion 58 extending downwardly intothe siphon chamber 48, the upper opening of portion 58 being larger thanthe lower opening, whereby the upper opening corresponds in size to anadjacent associated opening provided in the cover member 56.

The siphon tube 46 is of the conventional type, having a U- shapedportion 60 connecting two leg portions 62, 64. The leg portion 64, asshown, is longer than the leg portion 62, however, the leg portion 64may be made any suitable length. The intake end 66 of the leg portion 64is provided with a plurality of apertures 68, where the apertures 68serve to allow the aquarium water to flow therethrough but prevent thepassage of fish or other aquarium inhabitants into the siphon tube 46.The leg portion 62 extends through the conduit portion 58 into thesiphon chamber 48, whereby the tapered inner walls of the conduitportion 58 provides an air tight friction fit with the leg portion 62 tosecure the siphon tube 46 therein. The siphon tube 46 may also besuitably secured in a substantially permanent manner, as by a suitableadhesive or solvent bond, within the conduit portion 58.

The siphon chamber 48 is provided with a one-way valve 70, which ispreferably located on the cover member 56. The cylindrical walls 72 ofthe valve 70 extend upwardly from the cover member 56, with a section ofthe cover member 56 providing the bottom 74 thereof, to define a hollowmember forming the valve 70. An aperture 76 extends vertically throughthe bottom 74 of the valve 70 so that the space within the valve 70communicates with the space within the siphon chamber 48.

A flexible member 78, which is preferably round, is positioned withinthe valve 70, such flexible member 78 being of the conventional typeused in valves, being formed from a rubber like material or othersuitable material. The inner diameter of the valve 70 is greater thanthe diameter of the flexible member 78 so that the flexible member 78rests on the bottom 74 of the valve 70 and covers the aperture 76, asshown in FIG. 2. The flexible member 78 is free to move up and downwithin the valve 70 because of its smaller sized diameter.

A cap 80 closed the top of the valve 70 to retain the flexible member 78within the valve 70. The space between the cap 80 and the bottom 74 isgreater than the thickness of the flexible member 78 to permit theupward and downward movement of the flexible member 78. An aperture 82extends vertically through the cap 80. The cap 80 may be press fittedinto the valve 70, or other conventional means may be used to secure thecap 80 to the valve 70, such as screw means, to allow the cap 80 to beremoved so that the valve 70 may be cleaned in side if the need arose.

FIGS. 4 and illustrate a modification of the filtration device 12, thesiphon chamber 48 is provided with a thermostatically controlledaquarium heater 130. The heater 130 is the conventional type, such asdisclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,107,289, granted Oct. 15, 1963 to Willinger,which may be referred to for a detailed description thereof. Generally,the heater 130 includes an elongated heat-resistant tube 132 housing theheating elements (not shown), a temperature control knob 134 extendingfrom the tube 132, and suitable electrical conductive leads 136projecting from the tube 132 for connection to a source of electricalpower. The tube 132 extends through an opening in the cover member 56into the siphon chamber 48. A convention collar 138 is secured to thetube 132 to suspend the tube 132 within the siphon chamber 48 and toprovide an air tight seal between the tube 132 and the cover member 56,whereby the collar may be secured to the cover member 56 by conventionalsecuring means.

The partition 24 is positioned between the partitions 22, 26, whichtogether with the walls of the receptacle 14 define a large and smallcompartment, hereinafter referred to as primary and secondary filterchambers 84 and 86, respectively. The partition 24 extendsperpendicularly outwardly from the side wall 34 of the receptacle 14,being spaced from the opposite side wall 32 to provide an opening 87between the primary filter chamber 84 and the secondary filter chamber86. The partition 24 extends perpendicularly upwardly from the bottomwall 38 to the upper portion of the receptacle 14. The partitions 24 and26 are provided with vertically extending flanges or ribs 88, 90,respectively, projecting into the primary filter chamber 84, beingspaced from the side walls 32, 34 of the receptacle 14. The partitions22 and 24 are also provided with vertically extending flanges or ribs92, 94, respectively, projecting into the secondary filter chamber 86,also being spaced from the side walls 32, 34 of the receptacle 14. Thefunction of these flanges 88, 90 and 92, 94 shown best in FIG. 8 will beset forth herein below. 7

FIG. 6 illustrates a narrow container 96, having a closed bottom and anopened top portion. The container 96 is provided with a plurality ofperforations or apertures 98 in the front and rear walls 100, 102thereof, so that water may flow through the container 96. A handle 104is centrally disposed on the front wall 100, projecting outwardly fromthe front wall and being secured thereto by suitable conventionalsecuring means. The free end of the handle 104 is flat. The handle 104permits a person to conveniently hold and move the container 96, andalso serves to position the container 96 preferably within the secondaryfilter chamber 86 as will be set forth hereinbelow.

FIG. 7 illustrates another narrow container 106, comprising two members108, 110. The member fits within the member 108 to hold a conventionalfilter material 112, such as glass wool therein. The fit between themembers 108, 1 10, if desired, may be such as to frictionally secure thetwo members 108, 110 together, however, a large force should not berequired to separate the members 108, 110. The members 108, 110 of thecontainer 106 are provided with a plurality of large apertures 113, 114,respectively, in the front and rear walls 116, l 18 respectively, of thecontainer 106, so that water may flow through the container 106, wherebythe water passes through the filter material 112 contained therein. Ahandle 120, similar to the handle 104, is centrally disposed on thefront wall 116 of member 108, projecting outwardly from the front wall16 and being secured thereto by suitable conventional securing means.The free end of the handle 120 is also flat. The handle 120 also permitsa person to conveniently hold and move the container 106, and alsoserves to position the container 106 preferably within the primaryfilter chamber 84 as will be set forth herein below.

Before the operation of the filtration device 12, the container 96 isfilled with a filter material, such as a supply of charcoal 122 beingpoured through the opened top portion, and is positioned preferablywithin the filter chamber 86. The rear wall 102 of the container 96abuts the flanges 92, 94 with the handle 104 abutting the side wall 34of the receptacle 14 to centrally position the container 96 within thefilter chamber 86 with the walls 100, 102 of the container 96 beingspaced from the side walls 32, 34 of the filter receptacle 14, as shownin FIGS. 3 and 5, whereby the container 96 may only be moved verticallywithin the filter chamber 86. When a fresh supply of charcoal isdesired, the container 96 may easily be removed from the filter chamber86 by simply pulling up on the handle 104, whereby the walls of thecontainer 96, which would then be dirty, need not be touched by one'sperson.

The container 106 holding the filtering material 1 12 is positionedpreferably within the filter chamber 84 in a similar manner to thecontainer 96. The rear wall 1 18 of member 110 abuts the flanges 88, 90with the handle 120 abutting the side wall 34 of the receptacle 14 tocentrally position the container 106 within the filter chamber 84 withthe walls 116, 118 of the container 106 being spaced from the side walls32, 34 of the filter receptacle 14, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, wherebythe container 106 may also only be moved in a vertical direction withinthe filter chamber 84. Here again, when the filter material 112 needsreplacement, the container 106 may easily be removed from the filterchamber 84 by simply pulling up on the handle 120 so that ones personneed not touch the then dirty walls of the container 106. Either of thecontainers 96, 106 may be modified as to size to fit in either of thefilter chambers 84, 86, whereby if preferred, one type of container maybe used in each of the filter chambers 84, 86.

With the containers 96, 106 in place, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, thefilter receptacle 14 is filled with preferably clean water to a levelsubstantially equal to the level of the water in the aquarium tank 10,as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thereby filling the compartments within thefilter receptacle 14. As the water fills the siphon chamber 48, throughthe opening 50, the water tends to compress the air therein aboveatmospheric pressure, which causes an increase in the air pressurewithin the siphon chamber 48. However, this increased air pressureforces the flexible member 78 upwards to uncover the aperture 76 formedin the bottom 74 of the valve 70, so that the excess air is forced outthrough the aperture 76 into the valve 70, which is now in an openedposition. Within the valve 70, the excess air is forced around theflexible member 78, and then is forced through the aperture 82 formed inthe cap 80, to finally escapeto the atmosphere outside the siphonchamber 48. Due to the function of the valve 70, the air pressure in thesiphon chamber 48 is equal to the atmospheric pressure acting on thewater within the other compartments of the filter receptacle 14. Theseequal pressures cause the water in each of the compartments of thefilter receptacle 14 to have the same level, as shown in FIG. 1.

It is preferable that the filter receptacle 14 be filled to a levelwhereby the discharge end of the leg portion 62 of the siphon tube 46 issubmerged in the water. Because the leg portion 62 is within the siphonchamber 48, the air pressure within the siphon chamber 48 effects thelevel of the water within the leg portion 62. The atmospheric pressureacting on the water within the aquarium tank effects the level of thewater within the leg portion 64. Inasmuch as these above pressures areequal and the levels of the water within the aquarium tank 10 and thefilter receptacle 14 are the same, as stated above, the level of thewater within the leg portion 62 is the same as the level of the withinthe leg portion 64.

When the motor is energized, the pump 28 is started, which in turn willautomatically start the siphoning action, as set forth hereinbelow. Thepump action causes the water in the pump chamber 30 to be drawn into theopening 40 of the pump 28. The pump action forces the water up the tube44, whereby the water is then discharged into the aquarium water in theaquarium tank 10. As the water is drawn from the pump chamber 30, thewater level lowers in the pump and filter chambers 30, 84, 86, whichcommunicate with each other through openings 36 and 87, each of thesechambers 30, 84, 86 being open to the atmosphere. This causes the airpressure within the siphon chamber 48 to force the level of the watertherein to also lower in an attempt to balance the level of the waterwithin the siphon chamber 48 with the level of the water in the otherchambers 30, 84, 86 in the receptacle 14, whereby the water within thesiphon chamber 48 flows through the opening 50 into the filter chamber84.

The volume of the siphon chamber 48 occupied by the air is therebyincreased as the level of water drops therein. However, because theflexible member 78 closes the valve 70 so that no air can enter thesiphon chamber 48 through the opening 76 in the bottom 74 of the valve70, the siphon chamber 48 is closed to the atmosphere, whereby the airpressure therein is reduced as the volume occupied by the air therein isincreased. Therefore, as the level of the water drops within the siphonchamber 48, the air pressure therein is reduced as the volume occupiedby the air therein is increased. Accordingly, as the level of the waterdrops within the siphon chamber 48, the air pressure therein is furtherreduced. Also, the difference between the atmospheric pressure acting onthe top of the flexible member 78 and the reduced air pressure withinthe siphon chamber 48 acting on the bottom of the flexible member 78,would tend to keep the flexible member 78 of the valve 70 in the closedposition to prevent the air from entering the siphon chamber 48 throughthe opening 76 of the valve 70.

The air pressure within the siphon tube 46 forces the level of the waterin the leg portion 62 to drop, at first in an attempt to balance thelevel of the water in the leg portion 62 with the level of the water inthe siphon chamber 48, and then because the air pressure within thesiphon tube 46 is greater than the air pressure within the siphonchamber 48. The volume of the siphon tube 46 occupied by the air tendsto increase as the level of the water drops therein, which in turn wouldtend to reduce the air pressure therein. However, the atmosphericpressure acting on the aquarium water in the aquarium tank 10 forces theaquarium water up the leg portion 64 against the reduced air pressuretherein to fill the additional volume occupied by the air within thesiphon tube 46, tending to maintain the original air pressure and theoriginal volume occupied by the air within the siphon tube 46.Therefore, as the level of the water continues to drop in the legportion 62, the level of the water continues to rise in the leg portion64 of the siphon tube 46. It is noted that if the level of water in thesiphon chamber 48 is below the discharge end of the leg portion 62 sothat there is no longer any water in the leg portion 62, the level ofthe aquarium water in the leg portion 64 will still continue to risebecause the atmospheric pressure acting on the aquarium water is greaterthan the air pressure within the siphon chamber 48. It is also notedthat the water being discharged into the aquarium tank 10 would raisethe level of the water in the aquarium tank 10, which in turn will alsocause the level of the water in the leg portion 64 to rise.

The level of the water in the filter receptacle 14 will continue to belowered until the air pressure in the siphon chamber 48 has been soreduced that the atmospheric pressure has forced the aquarium water upthe leg portion 64 into the U-shaped portion 60 of the siphon tube 46.Any further reduction in the level of the water in the filter receptacle14 will cause the atmospheric pressure to force the aquarium water intothe upper part of the leg portion 62. The aquarium water, once in theupper part of the leg portion 62, will tend to move downwardly at afaster rate into the air space therebelow, whereby the momentum of theaquarium water moving through the siphon tube 46 will start thesiphoning action.

It is noted that if the valve 70 did not prevent the air from passingback into the siphon chamber 48, the air pressure in the siphon chamber48 would always be equal to the atmospheric pressure acting on theaquarium water in the aquarium tank 10. Therefore, there would be no airpressure differential to force the aquarium water up the leg portion 64of the siphon tube 46, which is essential to start the siphoning actionin the filtration device 12.

The siphoning action will continue until the level of the water in thefilter receptacle 14 is raised again to be equal to the level of theaquarium water in the aquarium tank 10. At this point, the air pressurein the siphon chamber 48 is again equal to the atmospheric pressure.This balance of air pressure maintains the siphon tube 46 in a primedcondition, that is, the siphon tube 46 is filled with the water. It isnoted that once a siphon tube is in a primed condition, a conventionalsiphoning action will start when the level of the liquid in onereceptacle is lower than the level of the liquid in the other receptaclewith the liquid being transferred to the receptacle with the lowerlevel. Therefore, the siphoning action will start again when the levelof the water within the filter receptacle14 is lower than the level ofthe aquarium water within the aquarium tank 10,

so as to provide a continuous flow of the aquarium water from theaquarium tank 10 into the filter receptacle 14 for filtration and thereturn of the water into the aquarium tank 10.

As shown above, the aquarium water flows from the aquarium tank 10 intothe siphon chamber 48, in which the aquarium water may be heated to aselected temperature, if desired, by the heater 130 of the modified formshown in FIG. 4 and 5. The aquarium water is drawn by the pump actionthrough the opening 50 in the partition 26 into the primary filterchamber 84. The aquarium water continues to be drawn, passing throughthe apertures 113, 114 in the container 106 which is centrally locatedwithin the filter chamber. 84, so that the filter material 112 containedtherein substantially clears the aquarium water as the aquarium waterflows therethrough. The substantially clear aquarium water flows throughthe opening 87 into the secondary filter chamber 86. The aquarium watercontinues to be drawn, passing through the perforations 98 in thecontainer 96-which is centrally located within the filter chamber 86, sothat the charcoal 122 contained therein further clears the aquariumwater as the aquarium water flows therethrough. The clear water nowflows through the opening 36 into thepump chamber 30 from where theclear water is pumped back into the aquarium tank 10, as stated above,to complete the continuous flow cycle.

The abovedescribed parts of the filtration device 12 are preferablyformed, as by molding or otherwise, from a suitable plastic. Most ofthese parts are preferably formed from a transparent plastic so that theoperation of the filtration device 12 may be viewed to determine if thedevice is operating properly. It is contemplated that the filtrationdevice 12 may be adaptable to be attached to most aquarium tanksenhancing its applicability and utilization.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understoodthat the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of theinvention which is for purposes of illustration only, and not to beconstrued as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An aquarium filtration device comprising a filter receptacle, apartition disposed within said filter receptacle to define a siphonchamber and a second chamber, said partition being provided with anopening so that water may flow from said siphon chamber to said secondchamber, a siphon tube having one leg thereof disposed within saidsiphon chamber, said siphon chamber including a cover member disposed onan upper portion of said siphon chamber, said cover member beingprovided with one-way valve means to permit air when compressed aboveatmospheric pressure within said siphon chamber to escape therefrom andto prevent air from entering said siphon chamber through said valvemeans, said one leg of said siphon tube extending through an opening insaid cover member, and means to cause the water to flow from said siphonchamber to said second chamber thereby lowering the level of the waterin the siphon chamber to reduce air pressure within said siphon chamberto automatically start a siphoning action, whereby aquarium water isforced through said siphon tube into said siphon chamber.

2. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 1 wherein said upperportion of said siphon chamber is enlarged to define abutment meanstherein, said cover member being positioned within said enlarged upperportion against said abutment means to provide an air tight sealtherebetween.

3. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 1 wherein said covermember includes a conically shaped conduit portion communicating withsaid opening in said cover member and extending downwardly into saidsiphon chamber, said conduit portion being provided with an upperopening larger than a lower opening, said upper opening being the samesize as said opening in said cover member, said one leg of said siphontube extending through said conduit portion with said one leg engagingthe inner walls of said conduit portion to provide an air tight frictionfit therebetween.

4. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 1 wherein said valvemeans includes walls disposed. on said cover member and extendedtherefrom to enclose an outer wall section of said cover member todefine a hollow valve member, said section being provided with anaperture extending therethrough into said siphon chamber, a flexiblemember positioned within said hollow member and resting against saidsection to cover said aperture in said section.

5. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 4 wherein cap meanscloses said valve member to retain said flexible member therein, saidcap means being spaced from said section of said cover member to permitmovement of said flexible member away from said section to uncover saidaperture in said section, said cap means being provided with an apertureto permit air within said valve member to escape therefrom.

6. An aquarium filtration device comprising a filter receptacle, apartition disposed within said filter receptacle to define a siphonchamber and a second chamber, said partition being provided'with anopening so that water may flow from said siphon chamber to said secondchamber, a siphon tube having one leg thereof disposed within saidsiphon chamber, said siphon chamber including a member -.covering saidsiphon chamber, said member defining a part of an upper portion of saidsiphon chamber, said upper portion being provided with one-way valvemeans to permit air when compressed above atmospheric pressure withinsaid siphon chamber to escape therefrom and to prevent air from enteringsaid siphon chamber through said valve means, said one leg of saidsiphon tube extending through an opening in said upper portion, andmeans to cause the water to flow from said siphon chamber to said secondchamber thereby lowering the level of the water in the siphon chamber toreduce air pressure within said siphon chamber to automatically start asiphoning action, whereby aquarium water is forced through said siphontube into said siphon chamber.

7. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 6 wherein saidvalvemeans includes walls extending from said siphon chamber to define ahollow valve member, said siphon chamber being provided with an aperturecommunicating with said hollow valve member, and a flexible memberpositioned within said hollow valve member to cover said aperture.

8. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 7 wherein cap meanscloses said valve member to retain said flexible member therein, saidcap means being spaced from said aperture of said siphon chamber topermit movement of said flexible member to uncover said aperture, saidcap means being provided with an aperture to permit air within saidvalve member to escape therefrom.

9. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 6 wherein saiddevice is formed from a plastic material.

10. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 9 wherein saidplastic material is transparent so that the operation of said device maybe viewed.

11. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 6 wherein saidmeans causing the water to flow comprises a pump positioned in saidfilter receptacle, said pump being provided with a tube, whereby saidpump draws and forces the water into said pump tube from where the wateris discharged into an aquarium tank.

12. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 6 wherein acontainer adapted to hold filter material is disposed within said secondchamber, said container being provided with a plurality of aperturestherein so that the water may flow- 14. An aquarium filtration deviceaccording to claim 12 wherein said container includes a closed bottomand is provided with an opened top portion through which said containeris filled with the filter material.

15. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 1 wherein a secondpartition together with said first mentioned partition and two walls ofsaid filter receptacle define said second chamber, said second partitionextending outwardly from one of said two walls and being spaced from theother of said two walls to define an opening through which the water maypass to a third chamber, said opening in said first mentioned partitionbeing positioned adjacent to said one wall of said receptacle.

16. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 15 wherein acontainer adapted to hold filter material is disposed within said secondchamber, said container being provided with a plurality of aperturestherein so that the water may flow through said container, and abutmentmeans being disposed on said container for positioning said containerwithin said second chamber, whereby the filter material clears the waterpassing through said container.

17. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 16 wherein saidfirst mentioned and second partitions are provided with flangesextending into said second chamber, said container being positionedagainst said flanges with said abutment means engaging said one wall ofsaid receptacle to position said container within said second chamber.

18. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 17 wherein saidabutment means comprises a handle projecting outwardly from saidcontainer, said handle including a free end, said free end providing aflat abutment surface which is positioned against said one wall to spacesaid container from said one wall of said receptacle, said flanges beingspaced from said other wall of said receptacle so that said container iscentrally located within said second chamber.

19. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 15 wherein a thirdpartition together with said second partition and said two walls of saidfilter receptacle define said third chamber, said third partitionextending outwardly from said other wall of said receptacle and beingspaced from said one wall of said receptacle to define an openingthrough which the water may pass to a fourth chamber.

20. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 19 wherein a firstcontainer adapted to hold filter material is disposed within said secondchamber, a second container adapted to hold filter material is disposedwithin said third chamber, each of said containers being provided with aplurality of apertures therein so that the water may flow therethrough,and abutment means disposed on each of said containers for positioningeach of said containers within its respective chamber, whereby thefilter materials clear the water passing through said containers.

21. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 20 wherein saidmeans causing the water to flow comprises a pump positioned in saidfourth chamber of said filter receptacle, said pump being provided witha tube, whereby said pump draws and forces the water into said pump tubefrom where the water is discharged into an aquarium tank.

22. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 20 wherein saidfirst mentioned and second partitions are provided with a first set offlanges extending into said second chamber, said second and thirdpartitions are provided with a second set of flanges extending into saidthird chamber, said first container being positioned against said firstset of flanges, said second container being positioned against saidsecond set of flanges, said abutment means of each container engagingsaid one wall of said receptacle to position each container within itsrespective chamber.

23. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 22 wherein each ofsaid abutment means comprises a handle projecting outwardly from itsrespective container, each of said handles including a free end, saidfree end of each of said handies providing a flat. abutment surfacewhich is positioned against said one wall to space each of saidcontainers from said one wall of said receptacle, said sets of flangesbeing spaced from said other wall of said receptacle so that each ofsaid containers is centrally located within its respective chamber.

24. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 6 wherein athermostatically controlled heater is disposed in said siphon chamber toheat the water within said siphon chamber to a selected temperature.

25. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 12 wherein saidabutment means comprises a handle, said handle including a free end,said free end providing a flat abutment surface which is positionableagainst a wall of said second chamber, whereby said handle permits saidcontainer to be easily positioned into and removed from said secondchamber.

26. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 25 wherein saidhandle is centrally disposed on a front wall of said container, saidhandle projecting outwardly from said front wall to space said frontwall from said wall of said second chamber.

27. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 25 wherein saidcontainer includes a closed bottom and is provided with an opened topportion through which said container is filled with the filter material.

28. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 25 wherein saidcontainer comprises two members, a front wall of said container beingpart of one of said two members and a rear wall of said container beingpart of the other of said two members, said other member removablyfitting within said one member to hold the filter material within saidcontainer between said front and rear walls.

1. An aquarium filtration device comprising a filter receptacle, apartition disposed within said filter receptacle to define a siphonchamber and a second chamber, said partition being provided with anopening so that water may flow from said siphon chamber to said secondchamber, a siphon tube having one leg thereof disposed within saidsiphon chamber, said siphon chamber including a cover member disposed onan upper portion of said siphon chamber, said cover member beingprovided with one-way valve means to permit air when compressed aboveatmospheric pressure within said siphon chamber to escape therefrom andto prevent air from entering said siphon chamber through said valvemeans, said one leg of said siphon tube extending through an opening insaid cover member, and means to cause the water to flow from said siphonchamber to said second chamber thereby lowering the level of the waterin the siphon chamber to reduce air pressure within said siphon chamberto automatically start a siphoning action, whereby aquarium water isforced through said siphon tube into said siphon chamber.
 2. An aquariumfiltration device according to claim 1 wherein said upper portion ofsaid siphon chamber is enlarged to define abutment means therein, saidcover member being positioned within said enlarged upper portion againstsaid abutment means to provide an air tight seal therebetween.
 3. Anaquarium filtration device according to claim 1 wherein said covermember includes a conically shaped conduit portion communicating withsaid opening in said cover member and extending downwardly into saidsiphon chamber, said conduit portion being provided with an upperopening larger than a lower opening, said upper opening being the samesize as said opening in said cover member, said one leg of said siphontube extending through said conduit portion with said one leg engagingthe inner walls of said conduit portion to provide an air tight frictionfit therebetween.
 4. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 1wherein said valve means includes walls disposed on said cover memberand extended therefrom to enclose an outer wall section of said covermember to define a hollow valve member, said section being provided withan aperture extending therethrough into said siphon chamber, a flexiblemember positioned within said hollow member and resting against saidsection to cover said aperture in said section.
 5. An aquariumfiltration device according to claim 4 wherein cap means closes saidvalve member to retain said flexible member therein, said cap meansbeing spaced from said section of said cover member to permit movementof said flexible member away from said section to uncover said aperturein said section, said cap means being provided with an aperture topermit air within said valve member to escape therefrom.
 6. An aquariumfiltration device comprising a filter receptacle, a partition disposedwithin said filter receptacle to define a siphon chamber and a secondchamber, said partition being provided with an opening so that water mayflow from said siphon chamber to said second chamber, a siphon tubehaving one leg thereof disPosed within said siphon chamber, said siphonchamber including a member covering said siphon chamber, said memberdefining a part of an upper portion of said siphon chamber, said upperportion being provided with one-way valve means to permit air whencompressed above atmospheric pressure within said siphon chamber toescape therefrom and to prevent air from entering said siphon chamberthrough said valve means, said one leg of said siphon tube extendingthrough an opening in said upper portion, and means to cause the waterto flow from said siphon chamber to said second chamber thereby loweringthe level of the water in the siphon chamber to reduce air pressurewithin said siphon chamber to automatically start a siphoning action,whereby aquarium water is forced through said siphon tube into saidsiphon chamber.
 7. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 6wherein said valve means includes walls extending from said siphonchamber to define a hollow valve member, said siphon chamber beingprovided with an aperture communicating with said hollow valve member,and a flexible member positioned within said hollow valve member tocover said aperture.
 8. An aquarium filtration device according to claim7 wherein cap means closes said valve member to retain said flexiblemember therein, said cap means being spaced from said aperture of saidsiphon chamber to permit movement of said flexible member to uncoversaid aperture, said cap means being provided with an aperture to permitair within said valve member to escape therefrom.
 9. An aquariumfiltration device according to claim 6 wherein said device is formedfrom a plastic material.
 10. An aquarium filtration device according toclaim 9 wherein said plastic material is transparent so that theoperation of said device may be viewed.
 11. An aquarium filtrationdevice according to claim 6 wherein said means causing the water to flowcomprises a pump positioned in said filter receptacle, said pump beingprovided with a tube, whereby said pump draws and forces the water intosaid pump tube from where the water is discharged into an aquarium tank.12. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 6 wherein acontainer adapted to hold filter material is disposed within said secondchamber, said container being provided with a plurality of aperturestherein so that the water may flow through said container, and abutmentmeans disposed on said container for positioning said container withinsaid second chamber, whereby the filter material clears the waterpassing through said container.
 13. An aquarium filtration deviceaccording to claim 12 wherein said container comprises two members, oneof said container members removably fitting within the other of saidcontainer members to hold the filter material within said containerbetween said two members.
 14. An aquarium filtration device according toclaim 12 wherein said container includes a closed bottom and is providedwith an opened top portion through which said container is filled withthe filter material.
 15. An aquarium filtration device according toclaim 1 wherein a second partition together with said first mentionedpartition and two walls of said filter receptacle define said secondchamber, said second partition extending outwardly from one of said twowalls and being spaced from the other of said two walls to define anopening through which the water may pass to a third chamber, saidopening in said first mentioned partition being positioned adjacent tosaid one wall of said receptacle.
 16. An aquarium filtration deviceaccording to claim 15 wherein a container adapted to hold filtermaterial is disposed within said second chamber, said container beingprovided with a plurality of apertures therein so that the water mayflow through said container, and abutment means being disposed on saidcontainer for positioning said container within said second chamber,whereby the filter material clears the water passing througH saidcontainer.
 17. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 16wherein said first mentioned and second partitions are provided withflanges extending into said second chamber, said container beingpositioned against said flanges with said abutment means engaging saidone wall of said receptacle to position said container within saidsecond chamber.
 18. An aquarium filtration device according to claim 17wherein said abutment means comprises a handle projecting outwardly fromsaid container, said handle including a free end, said free endproviding a flat abutment surface which is positioned against said onewall to space said container from said one wall of said receptacle, saidflanges being spaced from said other wall of said receptacle so thatsaid container is centrally located within said second chamber.
 19. Anaquarium filtration device according to claim 15 wherein a thirdpartition together with said second partition and said two walls of saidfilter receptacle define said third chamber, said third partitionextending outwardly from said other wall of said receptacle and beingspaced from said one wall of said receptacle to define an openingthrough which the water may pass to a fourth chamber.
 20. An aquariumfiltration device according to claim 19 wherein a first containeradapted to hold filter material is disposed within said second chamber,a second container adapted to hold filter material is disposed withinsaid third chamber, each of said containers being provided with aplurality of apertures therein so that the water may flow therethrough,and abutment means disposed on each of said containers for positioningeach of said containers within its respective chamber, whereby thefilter materials clear the water passing through said containers.
 21. Anaquarium filtration device according to claim 20 wherein said meanscausing the water to flow comprises a pump positioned in said fourthchamber of said filter receptacle, said pump being provided with a tube,whereby said pump draws and forces the water into said pump tube fromwhere the water is discharged into an aquarium tank.
 22. An aquariumfiltration device according to claim 20 wherein said first mentioned andsecond partitions are provided with a first set of flanges extendinginto said second chamber, said second and third partitions are providedwith a second set of flanges extending into said third chamber, saidfirst container being positioned against said first set of flanges, saidsecond container being positioned against said second set of flanges,said abutment means of each container engaging said one wall of saidreceptacle to position each container within its respective chamber. 23.An aquarium filtration device according to claim 22 wherein each of saidabutment means comprises a handle projecting outwardly from itsrespective container, each of said handles including a free end, saidfree end of each of said handles providing a flat abutment surface whichis positioned against said one wall to space each of said containersfrom said one wall of said receptacle, said sets of flanges being spacedfrom said other wall of said receptacle so that each of said containersis centrally located within its respective chamber.
 24. An aquariumfiltration device according to claim 6 wherein a thermostaticallycontrolled heater is disposed in said siphon chamber to heat the waterwithin said siphon chamber to a selected temperature.
 25. An aquariumfiltration device according to claim 12 wherein said abutment meanscomprises a handle, said handle including a free end, said free endproviding a flat abutment surface which is positionable against a wallof said second chamber, whereby said handle permits said container to beeasily positioned into and removed from said second chamber.
 26. Anaquarium filtration device according to claim 25 wherein said handle iscentrally disposed on a front wall of said container, said handleprojecting outwardly from said front wall to space said front wall fromsaid wall of said second chamber.
 27. An aquarium filtration deviceaccording to claim 25 wherein said container includes a closed bottomand is provided with an opened top portion through which said containeris filled with the filter material.
 28. An aquarium filtration deviceaccording to claim 25 wherein said container comprises two members, afront wall of said container being part of one of said two members and arear wall of said container being part of the other of said two members,said other member removably fitting within said one member to hold thefilter material within said container between said front and rear walls.